d r e a m come true. My friends used to joke that I would one day live on the beach and open up a school right next door to it... that's how in love I am with it. Since I haven't technically started working yet, I took the opportunity to walk & sit on the beach for a couple hours. I realized right away that I forgot my phone in the car and my camera had died, but sitting there with my coffee (found a perfect little coffee shop!) I didn't need to distract this moment with technology. I didn't want to read from my Kindle, because I had the most magnificent view right before my eyes, and I didn't want to ruin the sound of the ocean's crashing waves with my iPod. My heart was overflowing, filled to the brim with praises to God for making this my new temporary home...
Last night Chris & I were invited to a "Are you new?" class at the church we've been attending, even though we were both feeling so lazy. After sitting there with a few other newbies listening to the Pastor speak to us about the history, mission and values a promise came true. Ps Shawn creates a relaxed environment, grace-centered where all are welcome and not pressured, just motivated by the love and sincerity by its members. We officially became members last night and couldn't be happier with our decision. We now have a church we can both call our home-church. Ps Shawn spoke of the importance of being baptized, even if you were as a baby (that is a symbol of being dedicated to God since babies cannot speak for themselves at that time). Yes, I was confirmed Catholic when I was in high school, but I've reached a point in my life, and I think Chris has too, that we have a new understanding of who God is. I've written countless times about how my life has forever been changed since I've accepted my salvation... but I cannot deny the truth *
To symbolize the change in my life, my dedication to Jesus for my salvation, I am going to be baptized again in THE OCEAN this summer!!! How perfect is that.. I mean, really?! Our new church does that! Being baptized is not legalistic when you look at it this way: Jesus did it as an adult as example for us to follow; it demonstrates my old way of life dying when you are submersed under the water, and then becoming new when you rise out of the water; it's a symbol of faith showing that it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, especially those who don't understand, but that I have been transformed by God in my life.
* It isn't work to have a relationship with God; in fact, it's more work to fight against the good and perfect destiny He has for you - and I can testify to that! *
Here's a story about my plans versus God's:
I had an epiphany a few days ago once I received my position as a preschool teacher at a discovery/academic private preschool... Ever since I graduated high school, I had all kinds of opportunities to work/help out in early childhood settings. Why? because that's where God said I belonged! But that wasn't MY plan. MY plan was to work in those settings for the time being because it was available, but as soon as I could, I would be a 3rd grade teacher. I looked past the fact that the university I went to made us emphasize in early childhood so that we'd be certified birth-grade 6. If it were up to me, I wouldn't have done that and just gone for K-6.. Thank you God for working that in there! I had a wonderful opportunity to work at a "Monkey Business" preschool after I graduated college. It was only a couple miles away from my parent's house so I would never have left WI. Ironically enough, the employers let me know they were Christian, I had no idea why at the time. They said they were going to offer me the job, but wanted me to really make sure that this is what I wanted. I thought that was a little odd, and I tried to pray about it, but honestly, I didn't listen (or understand how to listen) to what God was trying to tell me. So I told them "no, I really want to be a 3rd grade teacher, but thank you anyway."
So, God let me discover this for myself. He more or less said "okay, go right ahead, make your own plans and see how that goes for ya." A few months later, I received a position at an elementary school all the way across the country and took it immediately. As most of us know, I was stressed to the max and couldn't find the joy I thought I'd have being a teacher. Isn't that what I had dreamed of being? (I wrote about this in past entries). Finally, God interjected... more or less saying, "I hate to say I told you so..". After my own plans failed, I had no where to turn BUT to God.
The thing is, some people worry that they've "missed out on God's will" for their lives... but it's just not possible. God time and time again gives us yet ANOTHER chance. Thankfully He showed up and said, "now are you ready for what I have in store for you?" Even though I had (unknowingly) been disobedient, His grace sent me my (now) husband, all the way from MN, and then sent us to the ocean where we now live, promoting my husband to Sergeant, and blessing me with the job I've been cut-out to do... And that is using my creativity and child-like spirit to open up the eyes of children to their world; to show them how to discover & explore without having to prove their learning on a multiple choice test (so not me). I get to give them the opportunity to tell their stories and to dramatize them so that literacy becomes so natural for them, and most importantly, I get to allow the Spirit in me to be a role model for how they can live their lives. How beautiful is that?
Just like the little kids playing on the beach ( a toddler specifically ) so drunk with happiness and sunshine, running around, falling down, getting back up and screaming with delight... that's how I feel, and I would do that myself if it wasn't so odd for a full grown person to do.. ah, why not? maybe I will anyway. That's how God calls us to be -
Luke 18:17 "Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not
receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means
enter it."
We don't have to (and most likely won't) understand what God has planned for our lives, but just like any good parent would, He looks out for what's best for us. He's got it all under control... and I love the security in knowing that each day.
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